Professor Max Pain
Listening to random radio communications is a joy on the road. With police scanners, you can listen to the signals around you. Whether these signals are music, medical signals, or radio stations, these scanners can pick up on any type of signal. These scanners are easy to pack, use, and obtain, making them perfect for any radio enthusiast. We have found the best police scanners for you.
Reasons to Buy the Best Police Scanner
- Police scanners allow users to limit or expand the types and the number of communication traffic, as well as the geographic area they want to monitor.
- Buying a police scanner allows users to listen to communications between the emergency personnel and dispatchers. This may include up-to-date information on traffic accidents, fires, domestic disputes, local crime and other situations that would need rescue operations or police interventions.
- A police scanner monitors a wide range of frequency, which includes an older analog transmission. It picks up different traffic, providing a wider range of information.
- In many cases, it is legal to monitor an actual police scanner at home whereas it can be illegal to listen to a scanner online. This is especially true when monitoring on a smart phone.
- It is possible for anyone to choose a more flexible option by choosing a hand held design or mobile scanner. This allows users to enjoy the flexibility of monitoring wherever they go.
- With the various range of police scanners available in the market, you can now have different police scanner options. It allows users to enjoy various features, functions and settings.
1. Uniden Bearcat BC125AT
The Uniden Bearcat has a more modest presentation than different models from this maker, and it’s feeling the loss of some high level auto-following highlights that make it simpler to discover public security channels. Clients can check out 500 alpha-labeled channels. With this police scanner, you can listen to over 40,000 radio frequencies varying from baseball to military signals. This handy little device lets you create “tags” of channels, naming them so you can remember them later.
Because of this products extremely light-weight design, great pricing, and large channel options, we have given it the number one spot on our list of the best police scanners. Click HERE or on the image below to find out more.
2. Baofeng UV5RA Ham Two Way Radio
This mostly metal radio is one of Baofeng’s products in the UV-5R series. Sound quality is acceptable for its market value but has a bit of your voice echoing in the background. This digital police scanner can view over 500 alpha channels for you to listen into. Plus, it acts as a radio, allowing you to talk to others. Plus, with a built in flashlight and customizable background, the possibilities are endless.
This product offers safety, fun, and accessibility, and for these reasons, we have included it on our list of the best police scanners. Click HERE or on the image below to find out more.
3. Uniden BCD436HP
This Uniden model is pack with a large memory capacity of 15,000 channels. It also automatically detects the system based on your real-time location using GPS receivers. This scanner has close call RF capture technology, meaning you can tune into nearby signals that you have listed as important. This digital scanner is so easy to use, that you simply turn it on, input your zip code, and it will do the rest. This digital scanner will immediately pick up nearby signals once it is turned on.
This handheld police scanner has advanced technology, is well priced, and is well-sized. For these reasons, we have included it on our list of the best police scanners. HERE or on the image below to find out more.
4. Escort Max 360
Escort offers a radar detector that allows you to preload the locations of various speed cameras and red lights in the US and Canada. It also conveniently displays vehicle speed and signal quality data. This desktop digital scanner is great for anyone who doesn’t want to get pulled over on the road. It does this by having a record of red lights and speed camera locations. This handheld police scanner will make you driving as safe as possible.
For ensuring the drivers safety, being well-priced, and having amazing features, we have included this product on our list of the best police scanners. Click HERE or on the image below to find out more.
5. Valentine One Radar Detector
6. Whistler WS1065
7. RadioShack PRO-651
RadioShack has improved the PRO-651. Programming might take some effort due to the steep learning curve. It has an acceptable rubber antenna but you can upgrade to a better antenna, if necessary. Click HERE or on the image below to find out more.
Features of the Best Police Scanner
Police scanners differ from each other. Here are some important criteria and features you should consider to ensure that you get the best police scanner that will meet your need.
Channels – this determines the number of systems and agencies you are able to monitor. A greater number of channels allow you to monitor new agencies without having to reprogram your radio.
Search Mode – this lets you search for various radio systems on an unknown or new channel or frequency. Different types of search modes are now available to help you enjoy various search options.
Sensitivity – this is the signal strength measure needed to hear stations. The level of sensitivity of a police scanner is crucial, especially in rural areas. It is also essential in listening to transmissions with weak signals.
Computer Control – many police scanners these days have an ability to have radio frequencies downloaded to them. They also allow a computer to operate the functions of the police scanner.
Design – when buying a police scanner, you need to decide between a handheld and a mobile/base design police scanner. The channel number, frequency coverage and some other features found on handheld and base scanners are typically the same.
How to Troubleshoot your Police Scanner
Just like any other electronic equipment, understanding the problem is the first step to troubleshoot your police scanner. Look at the symptoms of the problem. This will allow you to eliminate possibilities, which leaves you only a few troubleshooting possibilities.
Determine the problem and identify the corrective action to be taken. In some cases, you may need to take the device to the repair shop but other problems can actually be solved by the owner.
Before you assume that there is an issue with your scanner, verify first that it is not caused by outside influence such as your location. Sometimes, police scanners may just pick up a transmission on wrong frequencies.
If you have a battery-powered police scanner, make sure that the battery is at its best condition. Fix the battery problem as soon as possible before further issues arise.
Users may notice that their police scanner is not accepting all frequencies. This will then move to another frequency automatically other than the one that it is tuned to. This is not a cause for alarm.
Buying the best police scanner is a wonderful investment. Look for the right features and functions that suit your requirement. Knowing how to troubleshoot your device will also work to your advantage.
